CBS Vets Dominate Wednesday While Rival Nets Hit the Skids

CBS continues to be the strongest network on Wednesdays this season with a lineup of series — “Survivor,” “Criminal Minds” and “CSI” — that have been around a combined 37 years. The net was up vs. last week and won five of the night’s six half-hours in key demos, while the lineups on ABC, Fox and NBC hit season lows.

According to preliminary national estimates from Nielsen, “Survivor” kicked off the night strong, up a tick from last week and ruling as the No. 2 program of the night in most categories. “Criminal Minds” (2.3/7 in 18-49, 10.4 million viewers overall) followed with gains of its own, winning its hour (though not the first half-hour) in 18-49 and total viewers; it was the night’s most-watched program overall. Closing Wednesday for CBS was the season finale of “CSI” (1.9/6 in 18-49, 9.9 million viewers overall), which was up 12% (0.2) week to week and easily beat rival dramas in the hour — including NBC’s “Chicago PD,” which had beaten it one week earlier.

Fox’s two-hour “American Idol” (1.7/6 in 18-49, 7.8 million viewers overall) was down two tenths to its series low, placing second to CBS from 8 to 10.

At ABC, “The Middle” (1.5/6 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) and “Surburgatory” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall) hit lows, with each down a big three tenths week to week. “Modern Family” (2.8/8 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall) held steady at 9 p.m. — and remained Wednesday’s No. 1 program in 18-49 and 25-54 — but this tied last week as the show’s lowest demo score to date. “Mixology” (1.3/4 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall) also held at last week’s number but that meant the network again went from first to fourth in one half-hour. At 10 p.m., “Nashville” (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall) matched its low of last week.

NBC saw declines across the board with its drama lineup of “Revolution” (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall), “Law & Order: SVU” (1.4/4 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) and “Chicago PD” (1.4/4 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall). “Revolution” was down two tenths while “SVU” slid by four-tenths and “Chicago PD” lost half a ratings point from last week’s episode, which was the conclusion of a two-night crossover storyline with “Chicago Fire.”

At CW, “Arrow” (0.7/3 in 18-49, 2.2 million viewers overall) was down slightly, and “The 100” (0.6/2 in 18-49, 1.7 million viewers overall) matched last week’s score.